Holly J. Carter is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Metals and a minor in Interior Design History. Holly is a Professional Metals Artist and Instructor, she makes and sells Fine Art Jewelry, Small Sculpture, and Interior Decor.

ASU Alumni artists include recent and not-so recent graduate students and undergraduates in a program that has produced talented, award winning metalsmiths and jewelers. From one of the best Metals programs in the country, this exhibit showcases the many talents and detailed workmanship of a variety of artists with diverse approaches to working with metal.

Along with the traditional materials and techniques such as blacksmithing, forging and forming, these artists include contemporary practices in enamel, found objects and mixed media.

The Night Gallery at the Tempe Marketplace is an exhibition space for ASU School of Art faculty, graduate students and alumni in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. The gallery is a result of a partnership between the Herberger Institute and Vestar Development Company.

The Night Gallery is located at Tempe Marketplace (intersection of McClintock Rd. and the 202 at 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway) in the District (west end, south side) between Barnes & Noble bookstore and Aeropostale.

Friday, April 20, 2012

I know I am not the only artist out there that feels like I am going completely nuts sometimes.
Your mind is racing with all of the ideas of things you want to create! All of the techniques and different mediums you want to use!
How can we possibly do it all? When will there ever be enough time in the day?

Do you try and try to fall asleep, but just can't? You are so darn tired, but your mind just won't stop!

As a professional artist and instructor, it's not just about what artsy thing I want to do next, but how am I going to make enough money so that I can keep up this life style? (if that's what you want to call it!)
Art is not really selling much these days and everybody wants to be creative and try their hand at selling. The jewelry market is overly saturated with sub-par handmade goods and cheap imports. So we worry about how we are going to get more students to sign up for our classes? Driving from art center to art center to make sure you can get as many classes as you need to live and get a decent paycheck. 'Gotta send out emails and work on my syllabi, better post some classes on Facebook, the blog, website, oh and don't forget about Craigslist! Crap, I have been forgetting about Craigslist!'
And then, the mind goes back to 'I really want to start this new project, but, damn it, I have sooo many that are waiting, unfinished!' 'Maybe if I change this and that, things will start selling, but then am I being true to myself and my art?'
I think I am going to pull all my hair out sometimes! It's not that life these days is really all that bad, it's just that there is sooo much to think about all the time. Sometimes you can't stop trying to figure out which thing you should work on first so much, that you don't actually end up getting anything done at all.

How about the fear, every time you sell something that they may want to return it after you have already paid your bills with the money, even though you say NO Returns. Or, that something will need a repair. Or, when you get a call that during installation for an exhibition THEY broke your piece. It's heart breaking when something breaks. It's like a piece of your soul just left you.

It is so much more than just making art, but also self promotion. Keeping up with a blog, posting pictures on your Facebook fan page, posting new items on Etsy and renewing expired old items that haven't sold yet, adding events to all of sites you have, getting your personal website perfect, being involved with the many art groups you are in, getting info to galleries and shops, photographs, entering juried exhibitions, and there is always more. Phew! I just get tired typing it all!
Too bad most artists can't afford promoters! Oh, yeah, that's right we do, it's us!
Although, sometimes an artist will get lucky enough to have a significant other or family member that helps, but few of us do. And, if you are REALLY lucky your significant other makes enough money to support both of you! But, oh no, what happens when both of you are artists? So we get two or three or four part time jobs.

Well, how about the health stuff? Sorry, who has the time and money to go to the doctor?
'What about the environment? I want to save the environment and stand up for my political views, right. Maybe I can incorporate that into my artwork more, but will the theoretical conceptual stuff sell?
Should I focus on what will sell? But, then how can I be true to myself get my concept out there?'

Mentally, we begin to slip sometimes, get cranky and moody because we're tired and broke, our family doesn't usually get it, and have never really understood us. You begin to wonder how in the world you were ever born into your family? Okay, so maybe that's more me. There are many well adjusted artist who have always had a great support system, a positive attitude, and many things come easy for them. I don't talk about it much, but I have even begun counting. Only those people who have the same issue really understand what that means. You are stressed, your mind can't quiet down, and many of the down moments you have it still won't stop. You start counting, counting everything all the time, except when working hard or sleeping.
Is it a wonder Van Gogh cut off his ear?

I know some people think 'awe, sob sob, the life of an artist is so hard'! We get to do what we like, how bad is that? Well, that is the good part, but it's being a small business owner that's hard, as many people know. Taking that chance, putting your self out there, hoping someone won't just crush all of your dreams and hard work, and will buy your art. It's living at or often below the poverty line, but sticking it out because you have to do this!
I know you are waiting for my to say next 'Well, don't fear I have the answer', but sorry I don't!
Sometimes it just helps to let the frustration and emotion out. I guess that's why we have things like blogs now, and of course our art as an outlet.

Well then, why do we want to be artists anyway? Is it for the joy and admiration of all who view our work?
That would be great!
Sometimes it's purely for shock and awe, we may create something that others find beautiful or even repulsive. Mostly we create to create. To express our selves and feel the sense of relief and accomplishment that comes from using our own two hands, to create this object from our minds eye, and bring it into this world for others to see what we see. We often want to share a message, get across an idea of how we feel, how we think and believe. It is often an artist's way to make a political statement, lead a movement, rally and strike for a cause, and affect change. And, it is to be who we are.

Go out and hug the nearest artist you see, let them know you appreciate who they are for being themselves, keeping an open mind, and trying to make the world a more interesting and beautiful place!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

I have been working on these two wall pieces and the recycled wood on which I plan to mount them, when I began to think of another way to mount them than originally planned. I had intended to cut the large piece of wood in half and mount them on each piece of wood individually, but then I thought 'how about mounting the enameled pieces on one large piece of wood?'. I started thinking that one large wall piece might be kind a cool!

It was then suggested to me that I cut down the larger piece of wood and then mount the two pieces together on a smaller piece of wood, but I am not sure I like that idea? So, I am still wondering, should I mount them on the larger piece together or cut it in half and mount them as two separate wall pieces that will be sold as a set?

Artist, Holly Carter has a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Metals from Arizona State University with a Minor in Interior Design History. She currently Teaching for the City of Tempe’s Edna Vihel Center for The Arts and The Mesa Art Center. Concentration on Fabrication , Casting, and Enameling.

Learn the basics of metalworking to get you started on Jewelry making or small sculpture. Beginning to Advanced techniques in Fabrication Casting, and Enameling or Customize a session to your specific interests.

My Theory On Art

About Me

I am a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Metals with a minor in Interior Design History. I create Fine Art and Jewelry of which I show in juried Exhibitions, Festivals, and Art Shows in the mediums of metal, wood, and fiber.
I have taught Jewelry I, Jewelry II, Enameling, Casting, Etching, and many other metals classes for The Edna Vihel Center for The Arts (City of Tempe), The Mesa Art Center, The Phoenix Center for The Arts, and Fire and Friends Z Art Studio in Arizona. I am a member of the Society of North American Gold Smiths (SNAG), the Arizona Designer Craftsmen (ADC) and just stepped down after 3 years as the Coordinator for the Arizona Designer Craftsmen's Central Chapter Metalink Group.
In the Fall of 2012 I relocated to California. I now create and reside in the San Francisco East Bay area where I am excited to be teaching at The Richmond Art Center. I have become a member of The Metal Arts Guild of San Francisco(MAG), The Berkeley Art Center, and The Northern California Enamel Guild.